Amadinda

Watmon Cultural Group - Album

Leader: Mathew Watmon
Soloists: Constantine Odida, Alex Nyeko with Paul Okello and Alex Obita and (in Nanga songs) Mathew Watmon
Recorded in Kampala by Peter Cooke, 2005 & 2007
© Watmon Cultural Group

Download Album! (85MB)

Watmon's album is available in mp3 format (192 Kbps) for 5 UK Pounds. The download also includes CD artwork.
Alternatively, contact us if you would prefer to have these posted to you on a CD.

Tracks:

1. Olyak (lukeme thumbpianos)

2. Yito Got (nanga zithers)
This text is based on a traditional story song and is accompanied on three traditional nanga zithers. The elder Watmon sings of the hopes of Acoli to be able to return to their homes - a nigh impossible feat it seems - as difficult as it is to scale Mount Alum a hill in Acoli which, it is said, not even animals can climb. At the same time the song allows the Watmon group to boast of their skills and courage - they will surely return home - "Friend, lead the way, we are coming, yes we are coming, kirkijing!"
Kirikijing is a 'nonsense' word with a bell-like sound completing the song line. The accompanying rhythm is made by beating on a large hemispherical piece of calabash with a set of wire spokes bound together. Listen carefully and you can hear occasional overlapping harmonies between the solist Wat mon and his chorus - typical of the Acoli style of singing.

sample

3. Too Paco deserted village (lukeme thumbpianos)
This sings of the continuing problems afflicting the Acoli because of the activities of the so-called 'Lord's Resistance army' rebels. "Our villages are empty - this is too much for our unhappy hearts to bear" - the song continues telling of kidnapped girls giving birth in the bush, of schools being burned of the despair of those who have taken refuge in the desperately overcrowded IDP camps and ends with a plea to the rebel leaders to negotiate peace and return home. Three different size lukeme play the accompaniment to this moving lament.
sample

4. Lweny Dong when the war ends (lukeme thumbpianos)

5. Labanya (lukeme thumbpianos)

6. Amone Bite Ku (nanga zithers)

7. Awobe pa Watmon (adungu harps)
sample

8. Rhumba (lukeme thumbpianos)

9. Awili (adungu harps)

10. Watmon Group (lukeme thumbpianos)

1. Olyak (lukeme thumbpianos)
2. Yito Got (nanga zithers) This text is based on a traditional story song and is accompanied on three traditional nanga zithers. The elder Watmon sings of the hopes of Acoli to be able to return to their homes - a nigh impossible feat it seems - as difficult as it is to scale Mount Alum a hill in Acoli which, it is said, not even animals can climb. At the same time the song allows the Watmon group to boast of their skills and courage - they will surely return home - "Friend, lead the way, we are coming, yes we are coming, kirkijing!" Kirikijing is a 'nonsense' word with a bell-like sound completing the song line. The accompanying rhythm is made by beating on a large hemispherical piece of calabash with a set of wire spokes bound together. Listen carefully and you can hear occasional overlapping harmonies between the solist Wat mon and his chorus - typical of the Acoli style of singing.	sample
3. Too Paco deserted village (lukeme thumbpianos) This sings of the continuing problems afflicting the Acoli because of the activities of the so-called 'Lord's Resistance army' rebels. "Our villages are empty - this is too much for our unhappy hearts to bear" - the song continues telling of kidnapped girls giving birth in the bush, of schools being burned of the despair of those who have taken refuge in the desperately overcrowded IDP camps and ends with a plea to the rebel leaders to negotiate peace and return home. Three different size lukeme play the accompaniment to this moving lament.	sample
4. Lweny Dong when the war ends (lukeme thumbpianos)
5. Labanya (lukeme thumbpianos)
6. Amone Bite Ku (nanga zithers)
7. Awobe pa Watmon (adungu harps)	sample
8. Rhumba (lukeme thumbpianos)
9. Awili (adungu harps)
10. Watmon Group (lukeme thumbpianos)